Costco’s fresh sushi bars heading to more US stores

March 14, 2024

Freshly made sushi is headed to more Costco locations across the U.S. after a wildly successful test run at a Seattle-area warehouse.

Key points:

On March 7, Costco CFO Richard Galanti revealed the success of the company’s first continental U.S. sushi counter and announced plans to add sushi bars to two more locations, reported Today.com.
Costco has already been successfully operating sushi counters in several Asian markets and Hawaii.
Dedicated Costco members shared their excitement online, expressing anticipation for the in-house sushi bars.

The details:

Last summer, Costco introduced its first continental U.S. sushi bar in Issaquah, Washington state, which quickly garnered attention, particularly for its Kirkland Signature sushi offerings.
Costco’s success with the Issaquah sushi counter prompted expansion plans, with Galanti highlighting quality-price balance as a driving factor behind the decision.
The company’s culinary team extensively researched and tested the concept, including studying with Japanese “rice masters” and conducting recipe trials in a dedicated R&D kitchen near the Issaquah store.
Galanti said the sushi program offers an opportunity for Costco to excel in both quality and price, hinting at further expansion. The company has yet to announce schedules for the openings.

The big picture:

Asian Americans are almost twice as likely to be Costco members as the general population. Including fresh sushi and other Asian staples — such as boba ice cream and durian pulp — shows the company’s awareness of the diverse tastes of the community.

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